Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by excessive fear of gaining weight.  The fear drives the sufferer to do whatever they can, no matter how extreme, to keep the weight off.  The catch here is that their distorted view of their body prevents them from ever losing enough weight.

Doctors don’t know what causes anorexia nervosa.  Lately the increase in the prevalence of the condition has been blamed on society’s image of beauty.  When young girls (and boys), see the beautiful bodies of models gracing the covers of magazines and the movie screen, their own inadequacies about their body surface.
Family dynamics have also been seen as a cause.  In families where communication is poor and affection withheld, kids may seek to find control, the control is the food that they eat.  Having high expectations that put undue pressure on the child can also lead to eating disorders.

Anorexics may begin with a diet but it doesn’t end there.  The obsession with their weight spurs them on to eat fewer and fewer meals.  They stop their hunger by drinking water or exercising more.  Even when the numbers on the scale drop, their lack of self-esteem won’t let them stop.

Because of their perceived problem, they may shy away from social gatherings, especially those that involve food.  In school, they may separate from their friends as the condition takes over their lives.  Any excuse is used to keep them out of family functions.

Over time the person with anorexia nervosa changes in appearance.  They may wear big clothes to hide the weight loss but if you maintain physical contact with your child you will sense the changes.  Their bodies are frail and emaciated.  The natural puberty cycle is often stunted in their bodies.  For girls, menstrual periods stop or donít start at all.

Anorexics are headed for trouble.  With the lack of nutrition being given to their bodies, the cells get what they need wherever they can.  Bones become weak because cells are robbing calcium from the bones.  Lack of energy is a common symptom because there is no fat for fuel.  The organs will eventually begin to shut down.

All the while, the person suffering from anorexia nervosa is in denial.  They do not believe that they are doing anything wrong and are reluctant to talk about what is happening to them.  Depression sets in because no one understands them.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition.  The first step in curing it is to get help at the first sign that something is wrong.  In order to do that, communication between you and your child or other family member must be open and healthy.

Ingredients:
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup milk
1 can (12 oz) tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 small onion, chopped
6 flour tortillas (6î)
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
2 1/2 cups cooked broccoli florets

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350∞F.

Grease 12 x 8 baking dish.

In small frying pan, saute chopped onion until golden brown. Divide and set aside. In the meantime, combine milk with soup and set aside. In a separate bowl, add tuna, broccoli florets, 1/2 cup cheddar, half of the onions and 1 cup of soup mixture and thoroughly mix.

Top the 6 tortillas with the tuna mixture, roll up and place seam side down into the baking dish. Cover with the remaining soup/milk mixture, top with chopped tomatoes and cover with foil. Bake in preheated oven at 350ºF for 35 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining onions and cheese and put back into the oven for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Ingredients:
4 thin slices whole grain or nut bread (use a small loaf, otherwise cut slices in half)
4 – 8 thin slices feta cheese
Handful of arugula
1 tomato, sliced
Dash of olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions:
Toast the bread slices until lightly golden. Place one layer of feta cheese slices on each piece of bread, top it with arugula and a slice of tomato. Then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with a bit of freshly ground pepper and eat!

The combination of flavors is fantastic!  These toasties make delicious appetizers.

The body is always trying to maintain a state of balance known as homeostasis.  The alkaline acid diet is designed to help you reach this balance when the internal environment has become more acidic.  If you are experiencing health problems, try the alkaline acid diet.

The basics

Acidity and alkalinity are measured on the pH scale.  Numbers from 1 to 6 are considered acidic with 1 being the most acidic.  On the other end, numbers from 8 to 14 are considered alkaline with 14 being the most alkaline.  The body maintains a neutral internal environment which corresponds to a pH of 7.  The stomach contains a weak hydrochloric acid but it is maintained within the organ.

Your food

Have you ever had to take a Tums for a sour stomach?  The formulation in acid indigestion pills is designed to be alkaline to neutralize the overabundance of stomach acid.  Each cell in the body has to operate in a neutral environment.  When the environment is acidic you can become more prone to diseases like cancer, digestive distress, obesity and heart diseases.

The culprit is the diet.  Fast foods, processed foods, sweets and lots of meats can contribute to an unbalanced internal environment.  The foods we eat contain sugar alcohols and other substances that tend towards the acidic side when they are digested.

Proponents of the alkaline acid diet contend that if the acidic environment is counteracted with more “alkaline” foods, disease and other chronic conditions can be avoided.  This is the basis of the diet.  By testing your saliva and/or your urine, you can determine the pH within your body.

What do you eat more of raw foods or processed foods?  If you have a hectic schedule, fast foods may fit into your plan but they are not the healthiest for your body.  Find out the benefits of eating raw foods and how to fit them into your lifestyle.

What is it about raw foods that have people gravitating towards them?  Raw foods were meant to be digested by your body.  Processed foods came along as a way of preserving meats and other perishables.  The refrigerator used to be called an ice box because it really was a box of ice that kept fresh meats and other foods cold until ready to eat.  Salting and sugaring came into use as preservatives in lieu of using the ice box.

Raw foods are edible in their natural state.  A little washing gets the dirt off but otherwise they can be eaten fresh out of the garden.  Think of tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, cantaloupe and other foods.  When eaten fresh, all of the nutrients inside are transferred to your body where they can be used.

Food that contains no preservatives or processes that alter their natural state are easier to digest in the body.  Raw foods from plant sources contain their own enzymes to aid in digestion.  The reason is that plants are living things.  Less effort is needed by the body to produce enzymes to break down these foods.

That is not the case with processed foods or processed fruits and vegetables.  The pasteurization process removes any harmful bacteria, which is good.  The heating process, however, removes major nutrients that are the reason for eating fruits and vegetables in the first place.  Added preservatives need enzymes manufactured by the body to break them down for nutrient use.

Raw foods contain natural sugars which can feed the sweet cravings we have developed over time spent eating processed foods.  It takes longer for raw foods to digest, meaning you are not hungry as often and your blood sugar remains stable throughout the day.  Want to give your kids fruit juice?  Juice the fruit yourself for a natural sugary taste that provides a bundle of good vitamins and minerals.  Your kids will love the natural taste of raw foods when they are started on that type of diet from a young age.

There are foods like potatoes, cabbage and sweet potatoes that are cooked before eaten.  Cooking these raw foods at home supplies more nutrients than the canning process.  You can make sure that they are not overcooked and therefore lacking much nutritional value.

It’s not realistic to think that you will eat raw foods all the time.  Meat can’t be eaten raw and most people arenít willing to give it up.  But, there is a solution.  Eat your meat, but eat it in limited quantities while filling up on raw foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Extra-virgin olive oil is produced from the first pressing of olives. It’s light tasting and contains the most complete array of antioxidants. The second pressing of olives produces fine virgin oil. This is still a good choice; however, extra-virgin oil is primarily recommended. Look for the words cold pressedI on the bottle of olive oil you are choosing. Remember, heat destroys antioxidants, so cold pressed is best.

Atherosclerosis, also know as hardening of the arteries, occurs when particles of LDL cholesterol adhere themselves to the walls of the arteries. Eventually, these particles build up until they form plaque. This results in narrowing of blood vessels, as well as increasing the workload of the heart. This creates more work to get oxygenated blood to the entire body. Unfortunately, the result of this can be heart attack or stroke.

Scientists have identified a compound in olive oil called oleuropein. This compound prevents the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, and subsequently sticking to the walls of the arteries and forming plaque. With a simple replacement of the fats in your diet with olive oil, you can significantly reduce this risk.

The body using the healthy fats in olive oil naturally produces anti-inflammatory properties. Cell membranes, which aren’t inflamed, are more fluid, thus better able to move nutrients into the cells as it moves waste products out of the system. It has been found that lower incidences of osteoporosis as well as dementia have been noted in cases where people consume larger quantities of olive oil.

The cancer-related benefits from olive oil are still under research. However, preliminary results have shown olive oil may play its part in the fight against cancer. Many professionals believe it can lower the risk of colon, prostate and breast cancers.

For diabetes, further research is taking place as to the benefit of olive oil towards maintaining blood sugar levels. One way patients can do this is by eating a diet low in carbohydrates. However, a possible link has been found with high levels of monounsaturated fats. This could mean olive oil may be even more effective for diabetics.

image from: http://www.rachelraydiet.com/images/fruits.jpg

Now That you know what Juice Diets are, here are a few pointers in how to make the perfect menu for your diet:

Some ingredients which can be used in juice fasts are:

Vegetables: celery, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes.

Greens: parsley, beet greens, chard, kale, dandelion leaf and spinach.

Herbs: fennel, spearmint, yucca root, basil, ginger, peppermint, green onion, chili pepper.

Fruits: grapes, apples, citrus, Açaí berry.

Extras: wheat grass juice, spirulina, complete vitamin & mineral supplement, psyllium husks.

Some side effects of a juice fast need mentioning here. Some common but temporary side effects include headaches, hypoglycemia, acne, tiredness, bad breath and an increase in body odor. Others could include dizziness or fainting, low blood pressure, weight loss, hunger, heart palpitations, vomiting and kidney problems. If you experience any of these side effects or any situation worsens contact a medical professional immediately.

During a juice fast the stomach shrinks to its original size, about the size of your fist. After only three days of simply ingesting raw organic and fresh juices and water, you will lose those cravings for solid foods.

Your mind might try to tell you differently; however, your body doesn’t need more at this time. While just drinking your food, your stomach is able to get some well-deserved rest, allowing your colon to shed old compacted material which could be waiting there to cause future disease.

If you are considering a diet which is more than just counting calories, this extreme detox diet could be the one for you. Using juices in this diet beneficially provides the antioxidants and vitamins required to keep you healthy for the duration.

Among the various diets found in today’s world of searching for better health, you can find what is known as a juice fast or detoxification diet. This type of fast diet involves the consumption of only water, raw vegetable and fruit juices for a certain period of time. The reason behind this diet is for the beneficial antioxidants and vitamins contained in fresh juices. This diet is considered one of extreme detox as there is no solid food consumed for the duration.

There are many reasons people may choose a juice fast diet over another type. Juice fasts can be used for losing weight, religious reasons, or to assist in weaning oneself from possible unhealthy habits. These could include overeating, caffeine addiction or smoking – to name a few. Then there are fasters who are a little more serious about their routines with juice fasting. They use it as an alternative healing technique to many conventional treatments. It may be used as a healing method for pain management, arthritis, infections resistant to antibiotics and other ailments as well.

There are certain people for whom juice diets aren’t recommended. This group of people includes pregnant or nursing women, children, diabetics, or people with anemia. Anyone with an impaired immune system, low blood pressure, terminal illness or epilepsy should also stay clear. People with any chronic illness or condition should steer clear of a juice fast unless they doing so under strict medical supervision. Never try a juice fast before or after surgery.

When considering how long your juice fast is going to last, there is an easy rule of thumb to follow. Continue with the juice fast until you have two days without any symptoms of detoxification. If you wish, you can also stick to a juice fast three or four days a week while eating a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables the other days. Along with sipping your juice during the day, it is recommended you also consume approximately six glasses of water at room temperature.

Whey protein powders are quite popular as a supplement in the diets of athletes and bodybuilders. Proteins are an essential factor in the repair and building of muscle. A supplement of protein in your diet is important – not only to protect you from injury but especially for those who are looking to build more muscle.

The most common form found is whey protein. It’s a product derived from milk used during the cheese-making process whey protein is collected and separated from the cheese. It is quite easy to frequently find fantastic deals on this already inexpensive product.

While searching for whey protein powders, you will see just how many different types are out there. Whey protein concentrates (the least expensive) and whey protein isolates are the most common. The purity of the protein powder in the concentrated form is approximately 75% protein by weight.

Although types containing a higher quality by weight will be of higher quality and have better absorption rates into your body but they will carry a heavier price tag as well.

Our bodies need amino acids in order to be used as fuel for the rebuilding of muscles. Whey protein happens to contain these amino acids at the appropriate level for rapid intake and usage. This helps to increase the response from both hormones and cells, but it must be consumed immediately following a workout. Not only will this assist in building muscle – it will also enhance muscle endurance while reducing any deterioration. These amino acids will have the ability to be metabolized directly into the muscle tissue rather than the liver as with other amino acids.

It’s not to be assumed, however, that you will become bigger with larger amounts of protein consumed – no matter what your lifestyle is. Leading a sedentary lifestyle isn’t going to make the whey protein achieve anything miraculous. The more exercise you do, the more protein you need. It is recommended that strength athletes consume an approximate 0.7 to 0.8 grams of protein for each pound of body weight. However, going over this amount will only lead to extra fat to burn, no matter how much strength training you intend on doing.

CONS

1) You may find yourself becoming too reliant on your personal trainer. This could become problematic, since you need to be able to learn how and why you are doing each particular exercise.

2) It is possible you may have a bad experience with a personal trainer. This does not mean they are all going to be the same. You may have to try more than one before you find one who ëfitsí.

3) Personal trainers can be an extremely costly expense. However if you feel itís a necessity for your overall health and wellness, you may find ways to cut back on other non-essential items to permit yourself this little luxury without burden or guilt.

Working with a trainer can help you develop and keep your fitness goals. Your personal trainer is there to help you stay focused and motivated, all while helping you learn new fitness routines. Instead of investing in a full-time personal trainer, you may wish to consider consultations once a month or so, to enhance your home workouts and monitor your progress.

There is also the option of having a personal trainer whom you never have to meet face to face. There are a great many DVDs with a professional fitness expert teaching you the exercises in the comfort of your own home, and it can be just as effective. It may even be a better option for you, depending on your schedule and commitments. After all, you are getting fit and healthy for yourself, so why not do it on your own time and schedule as well